Nebraska 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Nebraska's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-22, 2026.
Archery White-tailed Deer opens Sep 1, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
Falconry Duck and Coot opens Sep 26, 2026 and closes Mar 10, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Nebraska Game & Parks.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-22, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
- waterfowl
- Sep 26, 2026-Mar 10, 2027
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Key seasons by species
How to read Nebraska's seasons
Deer units and permit type shape the season
Nebraska issues deer permits by management unit, with a mix of over-the-counter and limited permits across archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons. The unit and permit you hold define your real opportunity.
Confirm unit boundaries, permit availability, and antlerless rules with the official Nebraska Game and Parks Commission source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Nebraska Game & Parks before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Nebraska
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 1 station in Nebraska. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Only Season Choice
Antlerless Only Season Choice
White-tailed Deer
Limited Landowner
Limited Landowner
White-tailed Deer
October River Antlerless Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
October River Antlerless Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Special Landowner Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
November firearm
White-tailed Deer
November Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
White-tailed Deer
River Antlerless Late Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Late Antlerless Only Firearm
White-tailed Deer
Late Antlerless Only Firearm
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery and Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to one fall permit. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth Archery and Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to one fall permit. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Wild Turkey
Archery and Shotgun
Fall archery and shotgun; hunters may purchase up to one fall permit; all harvests must be Telechecked
Wild Turkey
Youth Archery and Shotgun
Fall youth archery and shotgun; hunters may purchase up to one fall permit; all harvests must be Telechecked
Wild Turkey
Spring Archery
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. No more than one turkey per calendar day during spring season.
Wild Turkey
Archery
Spring archery; hunters may purchase up to two spring permits; no more than one turkey per calendar day during spring season
Wild Turkey
Youth Shotgun
Spring youth shotgun
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. No more than one turkey per calendar day during spring season.
Wild Turkey
Spring Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. No more than one turkey per calendar day during spring season.
Wild Turkey
Shotgun
Spring shotgun
Elk
Elk
Early Antlerless
Early Antlerless
Elk
Archery
Archery bull
Elk
Archery Bull
Elk
Firearm Bull
Elk
Firearm
Firearm bull
Elk
Late Antlerless
Late Antlerless
Waterfowl
46 listed rowsCanada Goose
Firearm
Dark goose
Zone: North Central Unit
Dark Goose (Canada Goose)
General
Zone: North Central Unit
Duck
Firearm
Two segments: Oct. 3-Dec. 15, 2026 and Jan. 6-27, 2027
Zone: Zone 2 High Plains
Duck and Coot
Falconry
Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone.
Zone: Zone 3 High Plains
Duck and Coot
Falconry
Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone.
Zone: Zone 2 High Plains
Duck and Coot
Falconry
Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus Feb. 25-March 10, 2027.
Zone: Zone 2 Low Plains
Duck and Coot
General
Two seasons: Oct. 3-Dec. 15, 2026 and Jan. 6-27, 2027.
Zone: Zone 2 (High Plains)
Light Goose
Firearm
Two segments: Oct. 3-Dec. 30, 2026 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose (Snow/Ross's Goose)
General
Two seasons: Oct. 3-Dec. 30, 2026 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2027.
Zone: Statewide
Duck
Veteran and Active-Duty Military
Veteran & active-duty military duck season
Zone: Zone 3
Duck
Youth
Youth duck season
Zone: Zone 3
Duck
Veteran and Active-Duty Military
Veteran & active-duty military duck season
Zone: Zone 1
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada GooseFirearm · Niobrara UnitDark goose | Upcoming | |
| Canada GooseFirearm · Platte River UnitDark goose | Upcoming | |
| Dark Goose (Canada Goose)General · Niobrara Unit | Upcoming | |
| Dark Goose (Canada Goose)General · Platte River Unit | Upcoming | |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 2 High PlainsFalconry concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone | dates not listed | Closed |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 3 High PlainsFalconry concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone | dates not listed | Closed |
| DuckVeteran and Active-Duty Military · Zone 2Veteran & active-duty military duck season | Closed | |
| DuckYouth · Zone 2Youth duck season | Closed | |
| DuckYouth · Zone 1Youth duck season | Upcoming | |
| DuckFirearm · Zone 1Two segments: Oct. 24-Dec. 6, 2026 and Dec. 19, 2026-Jan. 17, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| DuckFirearm · Zone 3 High PlainsTwo segments: Oct. 24, 2026-Jan. 5, 2027 and Jan. 6-27, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 1Falconry concurrent with teal, youth, and regular duck season dates plus Feb. 25-March 10, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 2 Low PlainsFalconry concurrent with teal, youth, and regular duck season dates plus Feb. 25-March 10, 2027 | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Duck and CootYouth · Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Duck and CootVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 1 | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 3 | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootYouth · Zone 1 | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootYouth · Zone 3 | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootFalconry · Zone 1Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus Feb. 25-March 10, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootGeneral · Zone 1Two seasons: Oct. 24-Dec. 6, 2026 and Dec. 19, 2026-Jan. 17, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Duck and CootGeneral · Zone 3 (High Plains)Two seasons: Oct. 24, 2026-Jan. 5, 2027 and Jan. 6-27, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · Rainwater Basin ZoneLight Goose Conservation Order; no bag or possession limits | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · East ZoneLight Goose Conservation Order; no bag or possession limits; East zone closes April 15, West and Rainwater Basin zones close April 5 | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · West ZoneLight Goose Conservation Order; no bag or possession limits | Upcoming | |
| Light Goose (Snow/Ross's Goose)Conservation Order · East ZoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| Light Goose (Snow/Ross's Goose)Conservation Order · West ZoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| Light Goose (Snow/Ross's Goose)Conservation Order · Rainwater Basin ZoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| TealEarly Teal · Low Plains | Closed | |
| TealEarly Teal · High Plains | Closed | |
| TealFirearm · Low PlainsEarly teal | Closed | |
| TealFirearm · High PlainsEarly teal | Closed | |
| White-fronted GooseGeneral · StatewideTwo seasons: Oct. 17-Dec. 27, 2026 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2027. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted GooseFirearm · StatewideTwo segments: Oct. 17-Dec. 27, 2026 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2027 | Upcoming |
Dove
Mourning Dove
Firearm
Includes mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves
Mourning Dove / White-winged Dove / Eurasian Collared-Dove
General
Includes mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Firearm
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Eurasian collared-dove only (not including mourning and white-winged); year-round
Eurasian Collared-Dove
General (not including mourning and white-winged)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Year-round season for Eurasian collared-dove only, not including mourning and white-winged doves.
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant
Firearm
Pheasant, quail and partridge season
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Also includes quail and partridge.
Quail
Quail
Youth
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Quail
Firearm
Pheasant, quail and partridge season
Quail
General
Also includes pheasant and partridge.
Grouse
Prairie Grouse
General
Special permit required east of U.S. 81.
Prairie Grouse
Firearm
Special permit required east of U.S. 81
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
General
Cottontail Rabbit
Firearm
Jackrabbit
General
Allowed west of U.S. 81 only.
Zone: West of U.S. 81 only
Jackrabbit
Firearm
Allowed west of U.S. 81 only
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Squirrel
Firearm
Furbearer
20 listed rowsBobcat
Running No Harvest
Running; no harvest
Raccoon
Hunt
Hunt only
Raccoon
Hunt Only
Hunt only Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2026. Running no harvest March 1-Aug. 17, 2026.
Red Fox
Running No Harvest
Running, no harvest
Virginia Opossum
Hunt Only
Hunt only Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2026. Running no harvest March 1-Aug. 17, 2026.
Virginia Opossum
Hunt
Hunt only
Badger
Hunt and Trap
Beaver
Trap
Trap only
Gray Fox
Hunt and Trap
Long-tailed Weasel
Hunt and Trap
Mink
Hunt and Trap
Muskrat
Trap
Trap only
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BobcatHunt and Trap | Upcoming | |
| RaccoonRunning No HarvestRunning, no harvest | Closed | |
| RaccoonHunt and Trap | Upcoming | |
| Red FoxHunt and Trap | Upcoming | |
| River OtterTrapTrap only; one river otter may be harvested per season per valid permit holder | Upcoming | |
| Striped SkunkHunt and TrapYear-round | dates not listed | Closed |
| Virginia OpossumRunning No HarvestRunning, no harvest | Closed | |
| Virginia OpossumHunt and Trap | Upcoming |
Migratory Birds
Rail
Firearm
Includes Virginia and sora rail
Rail (Virginia and Sora)
General
Includes Virginia and sora rail.
Snipe
Firearm
Snipe
General
Woodcock
Firearm
Woodcock
General
Crow
Firearm
Two separate segments: Oct. 10-Dec. 10, 2026 and Jan. 9-March 11, 2027
Pronghorn
Pronghorn Antelope
Archery
Pronghorn Antelope
Firearm
Pronghorn Antelope
Firearm
November late doe/fawn
Pronghorn Antelope
November Late Doe/Fawn Firearm
Pronghorn Antelope
Muzzleloader
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Firearm/General
Season 1 in all three units began Jan. 2, 2026 and ended Feb. 28, 2026. Season closes immediately if harvest limit or female sublimit is reached. Auxiliary season in Pine Ridge Unit March 14-16, 2026.
Zone: All three units
Mountain Lion
Firearm
Season 1 in all three units began Jan. 2, 2026 and ended Feb. 28, 2026. Season closes immediately if season harvest limit or female sublimit is reached before Feb. 28, 2026.
Zone: All three units
Mountain Lion
Firearm
Auxiliary season in Pine Ridge Unit; ended March 16 when unit limit was reached
Zone: Pine Ridge Unit
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Firearm
Regular lottery season
Bighorn Sheep
Regular Lottery
Coyote
Coyote
Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nongame species; year-round statewide; residents do not need a permit; nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit; Habitat Stamp not required
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No permit required for residents. Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. Habitat Stamp not required.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
General
Two separate seasons: Oct. 10-Dec. 10, 2026 and Jan. 9-March 11, 2027.
Porcupine
Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nongame species; year-round statewide; residents do not need a permit; nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit; Habitat Stamp not required
Zone: Statewide
Porcupine
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No permit required for residents. Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. Habitat Stamp not required.
Zone: Statewide
Prairie Dog
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No permit required for residents. Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. Habitat Stamp not required.
Zone: Statewide
Prairie Dog
Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nongame species; year-round statewide; residents do not need a permit; nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit; Habitat Stamp not required
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck
Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nongame species; year-round statewide; residents do not need a permit; nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit; Habitat Stamp not required
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No permit required for residents. Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. Habitat Stamp not required.
Zone: Statewide
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Nebraska Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Nebraska?
September 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Nebraska; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026.
When is Nebraska's firearm deer season?
Nov 14-22, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Nebraska. Check zone and permit details with Nebraska Game & Parks before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Nebraska?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Nebraska hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Nebraska Game & Parks.
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